Anthurium plant named Pura Vida Lavender

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of anthurium plant named Pura Vida Lavender characterized by its lavender spathe color, pink spadix color, flowers which are held above the foliage to provide a uniform display, long lasting inflorescence, and its outwardly facing leaves which show the full leaf blade.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Anthurium, botanically known as Anthurium hybrid, and referred to by the cultivar named Pura Vida Lavender.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programs carried out by the inventor in Cartago, Costa Rica. The female parent was an unnamed Anthurium amnicola selection, and the male parent was an unnamed cultivar Anthurium andreanum characterized by its small leaves. The parents are proprietary cultivars used only in the breeding program.

The new cultivar was discovered from the progeny of the stated cross by the inventor in Cartago, Costa Rica, and given the number designation 196-1. Asexual propagation by division and micropropagated leaf cuttings first carried out by or under the supervision of the inventor in Cartago, Costa Rica, and later carried out in south central Florida and West Chicago, Ill., has demonstrated that the unique features of this new anthurium are stabilized and are reproduced true to type in successive propagations.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown in south central Florida in a polypropylene-covered shade house with day temperatures of 30° to 38° C. and night temperatures of 20° to 30° C. Measurements and values represent averages for six typical plants observed for evaluation purposes.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristics which in combination distinguish the new cultivar from other Anthuriums of the same general type, for example, the unpatented but well known commercial cultivar Lady Jane to which comparative reference is made.

1. The spathe color of Pura Vida Lavender is lavender compared to the medium pink spathe color of Lady Jane.

2. The mature spadix color of the new cultivar is pink compared to the yellow-orange spadix color of Lady Jane.

3. The inflorescence is long lasting.

4. Larger flowers that are held above the foliage in a uniform and showy display.

5. The flowers of Pura Vida Lavender are flat and do not curve inwardly.

6. The leaves face outwardly showing the full leaf blade.

A detailed comparison of Pura Vida Lavender and Lady Jane appears in Chart A at the end of the specification. In general comparison, the spathe of the new cultivar is lavender in color, compared to the pinkish-red spathe color of Lady Jane. The mature spadix color of the new cultivar is pink or red-purple compared to the yellow-orange mature spadix color of Lady Jane.

All color references are to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). Colors will vary somewhat depending on horticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others, without, however, any variation in genotype.

The color photographic drawing comprise a top perspective view showing the inflorescence and foliage of a typical specimen plant of the new cultivar.

The photograph is of a plant of the new cultivar grown in a 25.5 cm pot approximately 52 weeks after planting a tissue culture plug and grown under appropriate growing conditions. Colors are as accurate as possible with color illustrations of this type.

Origin: Seedling of unnamed parentage.

Classification: Anthurium hybrid, cv Pura Vida Lavender.

Propagation: Asexual production either by micropropagation, i.e., tissue culture, or division. Roots are initiated in approximately 22 days at 25° C. The rooting habit is epiphytic, roots emerge from stem, thick velamen.

Plant:

A. Form.--Upright.

B. Habit of growth.--Leaves produced in whorls.

C. Foliage description.--1. Size: a. Length: 18 cm. b. Width: 11 cm. 2. Shape: Ovate; apex is acuminate, base is truncate; leaves are held outwardly and slightly upright to perpendicular to petiole.

3. Surface texture: Leaf surfaces are smooth with veins slightly sunken on top side and protruding on under side. 4. Margin: Entire. 5. Color: a. Young foliage top side: 146A. b. Young foliage under side: 146C. c. Mature foliage top side: 147A. d. Mature foliage under side: 146B. e. Older foliage top side: 139A. f. Older foliage under side: 146B. 6. Petiole Length is 15 cm, diameter 4 mm; color 147A. 7. Venation: Color is same as top side of leaves and depends on leaf age; pattern is pinnate.

Inflorescence:

A. Flower type and habit.--Freely flowering.

B. Natural flowering season.--Year-round in tropical and subtropical areas.

C. Flowers borne.--Above foliage, arising from leaf axils.

D. Penduncle.--Length is 30 cm, diameter 4 mm; color 183B.

E. Quantity of flowers.--Potential of one flower per leaf.

F. Spathe.--1. Shape: Ovate; apex cuspidate, base truncate; spathe is attached generally perpendicular to peduncle. 2. Size: a. Length: 8.0 cm. b. Width: 4.0 cm. 3. Color: a. Young spathe top side: 62B at base 62D at tip. b. Young spathe under side: 62D. c. Mature spathe top side: 62C at base, 69B at tip. d. Mature spathe under side: 155C. e. Older spathe top side: 146D. f. Older spathe under side: 146D. 4. Surface texture: Top and under surfaces are smooth. 5. Margin: Entire.

G. Spadix.--1. Shape: Cylindrical, tapering upwards. 2. Size: a. Length: 4.0 cm. b. Diameter base: 7 mm. c. Diameter center: 8 mm. d. Diameter tip: 3 mm. 3. Color: a. Young spadix top: 62A. b. Young spadix base: 62A. c. Mature spadix top: 62B. d. Mature spadix base: 62C. e. Older spadix top: 144C. f. Older spadix base: 144C. 4. Ovary size: 2 mm, square. 5. Anther size: 1.5 mm, square.

Disease resistance: No fungal, bacterial or viral problems have been observed to date.

    ______________________________________                                         CHART A                                                                        CHARACTERISTIC                                                                               PURA VIDA RED LADY JANE                                          ______________________________________                                         Young leaf color                                                                             146A          146A                                               top side                                                                       Mature leaf color                                                                            147A          139A                                               top side                                                                       Older leaf color                                                                             137A          139A                                               top side                                                                       Young spathe color                                                                           46A           51B                                                top side                                                                       Young spathe color                                                                           46A           51D                                                under side                                                                     Mature spathe color                                                                          46A           51B                                                top side                                                                       Mature spathe color                                                                          46A           51D                                                under side                                                                     Older spathe color                                                                           46A           51C                                                top side                                                                       Older spathe color                                                                           46A           144A                                               under side                                                                     Spathe size   6.5 cm by 8.5 cm                                                                             3.5 cm by 7 cm                                     width by length                                                                Young spadix color                                                                           1C            11D                                                top                                                                            Young spadix color                                                                           1C            32C                                                base                                                                           Mature spadix color                                                                          10C           18D                                                top                                                                            Mature spadix color                                                                          11D           18B                                                base                                                                           Older spadix color                                                                           14D           144A                                               top                                                                            Older spadix color base                                                                      154C          144A                                               ______________________________________                                     

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Anthurium plant named Pura Vida Lavender, as illustrated and described. 